Perfecting Your Creative Entrepreneur Elevator Speech

by: LJ Ober

So you quit your 9-5 job to pursue an amazing new online venture and you’ve been experiencing varying emotions from elation to a feeling of wanting to quit.

​Being a creative entrepreneur is kind of a funny bird, right? You are working on many pathways leading to either a dead end or a grand idea that excitedly fuels a need for more knowledge for you to uncover! Trust me, other than yourself and the people on the same platform as you, no one has a clue of the amount of information that you have self taught, uncovered, or been educated on in these last few weeks, months or possibly a year! And yet, you still have so much more to learn! With all of those clouded feelings, no wonder it's hard to admit to others about this "dream project".

Even though its hard to find the words to explain, you need to prepare yourself in advance by being well versed on what it is that you do in order to add credibility

First of all. . .what is an elevator speech?
An elevator speech is a meaningful, well thought out, practiced introduction of your intended idea, or what it is that you do. You are basically selling your vision of this to others and you need to have this 30-60 second speech ready to pitch at anytime. First of all don't overly think about it too much. Just relax and be you.

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HERE ARE JUST A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND AS YOU PREPARE AND PITCH YOUR ELEVATOR SPEECH :

1.) BE RELEVANT:
This is your chance to gain support and/or ideas from your listener. It is important that what you are saying sparks an interest for the conversation to continue. Be careful of using non descriptive words that make it look “less than” it is meant to! Words like "just" or "nice" etc. And please don’t constantly use “like” as a filler word! 

2.) USE A NATURAL FLOW OF WORDS:
It needs to come natural to you, not memorized. Which is why it needs to be repeatedly practiced. To put it to you bluntly - and this the hardest part - You need to convince yourself first! know that what you are saying out loud comes from the heart, plus believe it and understand it. Be sincere and add the right articulation into the conversation.

3.) TAKE IT SLOWLY:
First of all. . .breath and think! Don't rush your words. Let them be clear and understandable. Use pauses to let the listener catch up with what you are saying. Don't use complicated words that could throw them off track.

4.) CONNECT: 
Even though you may feel a bit shy about speaking of your venture, it helps to use a good amount of (but not too creepy) eye contact for credibility.
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5.) BE RELATE-ABLE: 
Judge your listeners capability of grasping what you are about to tell them. For example, if you were about to tell your grandmother about it, you may want to keep it more simple rather than precise. 

​You have come much farther than you think. Enjoy the journey rather than any of the set-backs. Be natural and be you. I myself have been inspired by so many people just like you, who have let their natural self shine through with confidence that paves the way for their success.

​Two sayings that you’ve surely heard of is. . .

“YOU NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION”
By; Will Rogers

​and of course there is the all too famous. . .
"FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT”
By; Unknown

Those classic sayings were made for newbie entrepreneurs like you and me who have faith in the vision, but still have a way to go, however; the listener does not need to know that.
You have come much farther than you think. Enjoy the journey rather than any of the set-backs. Be natural and be you. I myself have been inspired by so many people just like you, who have let their natural self shine through with confidence that paves the way for their success.

Because as another great quote that I'm sure you've heard from the slogan by The Phillip Morris Campaign:
“ YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY”!